ADJUSTABLE FOUNDATION AND MATTRESS ASSEMBLY

• US 20170333271A1
• Filed: 08/09/2017
• Published: 11/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dreamwell Limited (Serta Simmons Bedding LLC)
• Original Assignee: Dreamwell Limited (Serta Simmons Bedding LLC)
• Inventors: Kramer, Kenneth L., Woodall, Jeffrey M., Jan, Francis
• Granted Patent: US 10,639,221 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/041 by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/08 with means for adjusting two or more rests simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/70 with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/07 for the head or torso, e.g. special back-rests pillows in general A47G9/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0142 Beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0192 Specific means for adjusting dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5005 for controlling frequency distribution, modulation or interference of a driving signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/02 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/081 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/10 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/12 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 using rotating unbalanced masses

Abstract

A coil spring mattress and adjustable foundation assembly includes a coil spring mattress; and an adjustable foundation including a mattress support surface including a head and back section hingedly connected to an intermediate section at one end and a leg and foot section hingedly connected to the intermediate section at another end, wherein the intermediate section includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is hingedly connected to the head and back section and the second portion is hingedly connected to the leg and foot section. The intermediate or seat section is configured to increase in length upon articulation of the head and back section and/or the leg and foot section from a flat position or an increase in inclination of any section. Likewise, the intermediate or seat section is configured to decrease in length upon articulation of the head and back section and/or the leg and foot section from an inclined position to a flat position or a decrease in length upon declination of any section.

Claims

1. A coil spring mattress and adjustable foundation assembly, comprising:

a coil spring mattress; and

an adjustable foundation frame comprising;

side frame members and transverse frame members attached at respective ends of the side frame members to define a generally rectangular shape, and at least one cross rail extending between the side frame members;

a mattress support surface including a head and back section hingedly connected to an intermediate seat section at one end and a leg and foot section hingedly connected to the intermediate seat section at another end, wherein the intermediate seat section includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is hingedly connected to the head and back section and the second portion is hingedly connected to the leg and foot section; and

a first actuator having an extending and retracting member operatively coupled to a linkage assembly to effect inclination or declination of the head and back section relative to the intermediate seat section and inclination or declination of the foot and leg section, wherein the first actuator is further operative to effect an increase or decrease in a length of the intermediate seat section by movement of the first portion relative to the second portion.

2. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the leg and foot section comprise a first portion hingedly connected to a second portion, wherein the second portion is hingedly connected to the intermediate seat section.

3. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second actuator operative to independently effect inclination or declination of the foot and leg section, and wherein the first actuator is configured to selectively effect inclination or declination of the head and back section and the increase and decrease in the length of the intermediate seat section.

4. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the linkage assembly comprises a linkage support frame configured to be seated on the foundation frame;

first and second spaced apart torsional members coupled to the linkage support frame underlying each end of the intermediate seat section;

a cross bar coupled to the linkage support frame and underlying a selected one of the first and second torsional members, and link arms having an end pivotally connected to crank arms coupled to the first and/or second torsional members, wherein the first actuator has one end coupled to the cross rail and another end coupled to one of the crank arms effective to rotate the torsional member upon extension and retraction of the first actuator and effect inclination or declination of the head and back section and the leg and foot section.

5. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the head and back section comprise a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is hingedly connected at one end to the first portion and at another end is hingedly connected to the intermediate seat section, wherein the first portion is pivotally moveable from the second portion via a third actuator operatively coupled thereto.

6. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 5, wherein the second portion of head and back section further comprises a rectangular shaped lumbar support member disposed within a complementary shaped opening in the second portion, wherein the lumbar support member is hingedly connected at a top end and operative with a fourth actuator coupled thereto to pivot upwardly relative to the second portion, wherein the at least one vibratory unit is coupled to the lumbar support member.

7. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the mattress support surface further comprises at least one vibratory unit coupled thereto.

8. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the intermediate seat section is rectangularly shaped and the second portion of the intermediate seat section is generally u-shaped such that upon extension and retraction of the first actuator, the first portion of the intermediate seat section moves towards or away from an opening defined by the u-shaped second portion, thereby lengthening or shortening the intermediate seat section.

9. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the increase in the length of the intermediate seat section by movement of the first portion relative to the second portion slides the head and back section toward an end of the adjustable mattress assembly.

10. A coil spring mattress and adjustable foundation assembly, comprising:

a coil spring mattress; and

an adjustable foundation frame comprising;

side frame members and transverse frame members attached at respective ends of the side frame members to define a generally rectangular shape, and at least one cross rail extending between the side frame members;

a mattress support surface including a head and back section hingedly connected to an intermediate seat section at one end and a leg and foot section hingedly connected to the intermediate seat section at another end, wherein the intermediate seat section includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is hingedly connected to the head and back section and the second portion is hingedly connected to the leg and foot section;

a first actuator having an extending and retracting member operatively coupled to the linkage assembly to effect selective inclination or declination of the head and back section relative to the intermediate seat section, wherein the first actuator is further operative to effect an increase or decrease in a length of the intermediate seat section by movement of the first portion relative to the second portion; and

a second actuator having an extending and retracting member operatively coupled to the linkage assembly to effect selective inclination or declination of the leg and foot section.

11. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 10, wherein the leg and foot section comprise a first portion hingedly connected to a second portion, wherein the second portion is hingedly connected to the intermediate seat section.

12. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 10, wherein the linkage assembly comprises a linkage support frame configured to be seated on the foundation frame;

first and second spaced apart torsional members coupled to the linkage support frame underlying each end of the intermediate seat section;

cross bars coupled to the linkage support frame and underlying each of the first and second torsional members, and link arms having an end pivotally connected to crank arms coupled to the first and/or second torsional members, wherein the first actuator has one end coupled to one of the cross bars and another end coupled to one of the crank arms effective to rotate the first torsional member upon extension and retraction of the first actuator and effect inclination or declination of the head and back section and the leg and foot section, and wherein the second actuator has one end coupled to the other cross bar and another end coupled to one of the crank arms effective to rotate the second torsional member upon extension and retraction of the second actuator and effect inclination or declination of the leg and foot section.

13. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 10, wherein the head and back section comprise a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is hingedly connected at one end to the first portion and at another end is hingedly connected to the intermediate seat section, wherein the first portion is moveable from the second portion via a third actuator operatively coupled thereto.

14. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 13, wherein the second portion of head and back section further comprises a rectangular shaped lumbar support member disposed within a complementary shaped opening in the second portion, wherein the lumbar support member is hingedly connected at a top end and operative with a fourth actuator coupled thereto to pivot upwardly relative to the second portion, wherein the at least one vibratory unit is coupled to the lumbar support member.

15. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 10, wherein the mattress surface further comprises at least one vibratory unit coupled thereto.

16. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 10, wherein the first portion of the intermediate seat section is rectangularly shaped and the second portion of the intermediate seat section is generally u-shaped such that upon extension and retraction of the first actuator, the first portion of the intermediate seat section moves towards or away from an opening defined by the u-shaped second portion, thereby lengthening or shortening the intermediate seat section.

17. The adjustable mattress assembly of claim 10, wherein the increase in the length of the intermediate seat section by movement of the first portion relative to the second portion slides the head and back section toward an end of the adjustable mattress assembly.

18. A process for operating a coil spring mattress and adjustable foundation assembly, the process comprising:

changing an angle of a head and back section of an adjustable foundation relative to an intermediate seat section, the adjustable foundation comprising a mattress support surface including the head and back section hingedly connected to the intermediate seat section at one end and a leg and foot section hingedly connected to the intermediate seat section at another end, wherein the intermediate seat section includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is hingedly connected to the head and back section and the second portion is hingedly connected to the leg and foot section; and

lengthening the intermediate seat section upon inclining the head and back section by moving the first portion away from the second portion;

or

shortening the intermediate seat section upon declining the head and back section by moving the first portion towards the second portion,

wherein a coil spring mattress remains flush with a terminal end of the head and back section during the changing of the angle of the head and back section relative to the intermediate seat section.

19. The process of claim 18, wherein changing the position of the head and back section relative to the intermediate seat section simultaneously changes a position of the leg and foot section relative to the intermediate seat section.

20. The process of claim 19, wherein simultaneously changing the positions of the head and back section and the leg and foot section comprises actuating a single actuator operatively coupled and linked thereto.

21. The process of claim 18, wherein changing the position of the head and back section relative to the intermediate seat section is independent from changing a position of the leg and foot section.

22. The process of claim 18, wherein lengthening the intermediate seat section causes the head and back section to slide towards a head end of the adjustable mattress assembly.